Jahangeer Ganaie
Awantipora, Nov 18 : Locals in Reshipora Ullar area of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have accused the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department of supplying them with highly contaminated water.
Residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they initially received water from the Renzipora Water Supply Scheme, and later from the Dogripora Water Scheme.
Although the water flow was low, the quality was deemed satisfactory, they said. However, following repeated requests, a local water supply scheme was constructed last month but it provides highly contaminated water, which even animals refuse to drink, they alleged.
Mohammad Shafi, a local resident, said that despite the water source being a well, it is impure and unfit for consumption. He said laboratory tests have revealed exceptionally high levels of iron in the water, which has led to several illnesses among the population.
Shakeel Banoo, another local, said they were getting good water quality from other schemes but the water from the new scheme doesn’t qualify for consumption.
The government must either give us water from the previous schemes or change the water source of the present scheme from the well to river Jhelum.
Locals said despite bringing the issue to the attention of concerned authorities multiple times, no tangible action has been taken on the ground. They are now appealing to higher authorities to intervene urgently.
An official from the concerned department told KNO that a high-level team has visited the area and is exploring alternative water sources. He assured that the area would soon receive the potable water supply—(KNO)
